PLANS for a new Aberdeen community have taken a step forward, with Aberdeen City Council submitting an application for its Greenferns development at Northfield.
If approved, the site could include up to 1,650 homes – a mix of council and private properties – along with shops and new community facilities.
However, an application for the neighbouring Greenferns Landward site on the edge of Bucksburn has not been submitted.
Last week, the SNP and Lib Dems vowed to scrap the Landward part of the development – despite council planners stating it would be “important” in meeting housing demand in the city.
Greenferns Landward had been earmarked for 1,570 new homes along with a primary school, retail and business space.
Access to the new Greenferns site is expected to be created from Provost Rust Drive to the north and Provost Fraser Drive to the south.
The site borders Davidson Drive and runs alongside the existing EnerMech site.
Agent Ryden said the development would provide “much needed affordable and market housing” while creating a “sense of place and community”.
It has been designed to meet the council’s net-zero aspirations and the principles of a 20-minute neighbourhood – ensuring residents can travel to nearby facilities on foot or by bike.
Local residents were encouraged to have their say on the proposals through public consultations last year.
The Greenferns site was included in the recently-approved Local Development Plan and was first identified in 2012.
At least 25% of the new homes will be affordable to meet council policy.
The proposed neighbourhood centre could feature one large store and between three to five smaller retail units.
A cafe or smaller coffee kiosk may be added, along with other community buildings.
Meanwhile, a travel hub has been added and is expected to include storage for bikes, Car Club parking spaces and electric vehicle charging bays.
An area to the north of Orchard Brae School, to be named Auchmill Local Park, will have community allotments for residents to grow their own fruits and vegetables.
The park may also have a football pitch to give residents the chance to enjoy a kick-about, and a new community garden would run alongside the Sheddocksley edge boundary.
Open spaces and play areas are included in the proposal to give future residents areas to meet up with one another.
Space has also been set aside for a new health centre should it be required by NHS Grampian.
It has been proposed that youngsters living in the new development will attend Heathryburn and Westburn schools, while secondary pupils will go to Northfield Academy.
As the application is seeking planning permission in principle, no detailed plans of the exact layout have been included. If this proposal is approved, the site will move forward to the full planning permission stage.
